Class Buttercream Icing - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 cup vegetable shortening (solid white)
1 1 teaspoon almond flavoring (Wilton) or 1 teaspoon butter flavor extract (Wilton)
7 -8 teaspoons milk or 7 -8 teaspoons water
1 lb confectioners' sugar (pure cane)
1 tablespoon meringue powder (Wilton brand, you can skip if you are allergic to eggs)
1 pinch salt
Chocolate Buttercream
1/4 cup cocoa
3 ounces unsweetened chocolate squares, melted
1 -2 tablespoon water

Preparation

Cream shortening, flavoring, and water.
Add dry ingredients and mix on medium speed until all ingredients have been thoroughly mixed together.
Blend an additional minute or so, until creamy.
For Chocolate Buttercream: Add cocoa, melted chocolate squares, and water to the recipe and mix until well blended.